Light In Your Corner

One day, Jesus told a story about a boldly persistent (some would say “impudent”) man who bugged his friend for some bread in the middle of the night. 

Then Jesus said be like that man. Not the helping one, the annoying one.

It’s hard to fathom that God would want us to bother Him with the requests of our hearts, but He invites us to do it! It doesn’t actually bother Him.

Today we talk about the things we pray for, how our prayer benefits the whole community around us, what attitudes keep us from praying, and how our identity shapes our prayer life.

We can’t script His response, but Jesus tells us God will respond in the best possible way. 

Just keep asking, seeking, and knocking. He doesn’t give up on us–don’t give up on Him!

ALSO:

• Good and bad Christmas movies not set in NYC.
• Sticking with the things that are worthwhile.
• How we would script God’s answers to our prayer: Immediately, Gradually, Gently, and I would like to not be too uncomfortable.

Separate Post–Poll:

You get a day all alone in your house to accomplish what you want to get done: Satisfying or Unsatisfying? 

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13
Media:
The Old Man TV Series: https://youtu.be/xDu1Q9r6HDo?si=uhb1MjrDNtCQOzEX

A Christmas Wish in Hudson: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13624384/

Christmas Lovers Anonymous: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14207306/

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It’s no secret that our culture is obsessed with death. Whether it is the quest to avoid aging and death altogether, or putting to death anything that hinders us getting what we want, the only answer our world can give to death is more death.

Then in steps Jesus, Life Himself. He sees the suffering, the victims, the dying, and He carries them and cares for them. 

When distraction and status and self-importance keep people from helping people, Jesus does the opposite. He does not cross the street and pass by on the other side. He sees, has compassion, and enters the ditch.

Today we are talking about The Good Samaritan and lots of other things too. And while we ask lots of questions and give lots of answers, we acknowledge that at the heart of being a good Samaritan is knowing The Good Samaritan–the One who loved lavishly and gave freely to those who had nothing to give in return.

ALSO:

• Pros and cons to being around people
• The effects of age on extroverts
• What am I putting in my brain?/Punishing ourselves with audiobooks
• Our kinship with Barabbas
• Saying “Yes!” and leading with love

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37
Fruits of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23

Who were the Levites? https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4254752/jewish/Who-Were-the-Levites.htm

What’s the difference between a priest and Levite https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-priests-Levites.html

Bible.org article on Good Samaritan https://bible.org/seriespage/4-good-samaritan

Another Bible.org article we reference: https://bible.org/seriespage/36-good-samaritan-luke-1025-37

Magee and Me Good Samaritan: https://youtu.be/A8VRSFuFDGk?si=YWif92Z-Crqi6ymI

Testament Good Samaritan: https://www.angel.com/watch/testament

Brant and Sherri Oddcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brant-sherri-oddcast/id903615429 

“Love Does” by Bob Goff https://www.amazon.com/Love-Does-Bob-Goff-audiobook/dp/B0083Q5364/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=241910470532&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9019035&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14015287531805726241&hvtargid=kwd-39045127164&hydadcr=8481_10382987&keywords=love+does+by+bob+goff&qid=1699545865&sr=8-1

Operation Christmas Child operation-christmas-child

“The Running Grave” Robert Gailbaith https://robert-galbraith.com/

Les Parrott’s books https://www.amazon.com/s?k=les+and+leslie+parrott+books&hvadid=580629472056&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9019035&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5677409495909473732&hvtargid=kwd-14270290031&hydadcr=8268_13500800&tag=googhyd

Happy Pumpkin Day, everyone!  Join Monica and Lauren as we rate the scariest and creepiest stories in the Bible. Want to submit your own, or rate the stories and post your own photo of your list?  We would love to see it!  Just tag us with @lightinyourcorner

And remember, our God is bigger than any and all fear.  We can all remember that this Halloween!

The well of things to fear runs deep. How can we have peace when so many things are outside our control? And how are we supposed to enjoy October when every television channel runs horror movie ads every five minutes? 

Today we step out of Luke and into the Psalms–specifically Psalm 27–so we can talk about a common theme at this time of year: fear. We are going to look at how David turns to God when things look bad. 

There is a lot to be gained from looking at how we look at fear, and more importantly, how we look at God. He is our refuge and stronghold–the only place of peace and safety when the world around us is a crazy scary mess. 

So how do we look to God? 

What practical steps can we use to help us turn to Him? 

How do we stop rehearsing worst-case scenarios and start stepping into moments with God?

And how do we live with the courage of The Man With the Yellow Hat?

ALSO:

• Lessons on earth that last for eternity
• Tools to battle anxiety
• The benefits of carving out quiet time
• How to respond when Monica tells you that she doesn’t like “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

Scripture: Psalm 27

Media:
 
- Outsmarting Worry (An Older Kid’s Guide to Managing Anxiety): https://www.amazon.com/Outsmarting-Worry-Older-Managing-Anxiety/dp/1785927825/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YI6T1NZP2JVY&keywords=outsmarting+worry&qid=1698245603&sprefix=Outsmarting+wo%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1

- Curious George Halloween Boo Fest

- Dwell App (Bible Reading App for your phone) “I’m Feeling Afraid” Playlist with Bible verses

- Bible App- “Rewriting Fear-Trusting in the Truth That Prevails” Devotional Series

Ever feel like you’re in over your head? Like you don’t possess all the skills to get the job done? Like you could really use some help?

Chances are the disciples felt that way too. When Jesus sends them out to preach and heal in Luke 9, they go without earthly comforts. They can rely on nothing but God and what they have learned from following Jesus.

And that’s enough.

It is enough for us too. Like the disciples, we are sent into our communities to bring good news and healing. We get to not just be citizens of heaven but ambassadors of heaven. We get to receive and then pass it along.

We get to participate in the miracle!

ALSO:

Parenting kids who contribute.
Taking care to prepare our hearts.
Anger, humility and forgiveness in the drop-off lane.
Sunday worship and daily worship.
Monica discovers a topic she doesn’t have a strong opinion about!
Anyone want to buy John Piper’s coffee table?

BONUS: Looking for the perks of growing older. And Monica and Lauren discuss one of their favorite book series!

Scripture: Luke 9:1-11

Media:
Luke-Revive SCHOOL (Bible Study-Kyle Lance Martin)
Thursday Murder Club Mystery Book Series

Join Lauren and Monica for a Light In Your Corner BONUS (3) Brown Bag Questions:

1.) Screen shot your recent pins on your Pinterest board.

2.) If like with Zechariah, the Lord removed one of your abilities in order to get you to pay attention to what He is doing, what do you think He might remove?

3.) If you could witness any of Jesus' miracles which would you pick and why?

It’s October and we have plenty of storms, blood, and death to talk about. Plus we spend time in the graveyard with a man and his many, many demons. 

But don’t be scared! It’s not all spooky. After all, do you know what those demons are scared of? That’s right: Jesus.

Today we are hanging out in the second half of Luke 8 and witnessing Jesus calming storm after storm. He tackles scary circumstances, and He does it with power, might and mercy.

Storms are a reality in our lives, literally and metaphorically, and they open the door to God’s amazing power and love. 

Have no fear, friends. Leave the fear to the demons. We belong to Jesus.

ALSO:

• We love you, tens of listeners! Our tribe!
• Making a case for arranged marriages.
• Gospel writers peeking at each other’s letters.
• What about when God doesn’t heal you?
• The parable of bike/body separation.

Scripture: Luke 8:22-56

Other Media: "Outdated" Book and Bible Study by JP Pokluda
Mountain Bike "Bike/Body Separation" https://youtu.be/g8tcLMGDtBY?si=AyT8Q3hJ19fpAOyv
Culture Translator: podcast and email updates
Moulin Rouge (Movie)
Amelie (Movie)
Romeo & Juliet (Movie)
Noah Kahan (Musician)
Tenth Avenue North (Musician)

Honor isn’t a topic we talk about frequently in our culture, but we address it today as Lauren taps into her military upbringing and experiences to help us better understand a man unlike the typical Jesus followers in the Bible. 

What was it about the centurion in Luke 7 that made Jesus marvel at his faith? And what can we learn from him about honoring others and interceding for them in love?

Jesus’ love is not dependent on our worthiness. His action is not contingent on us achieving anything really. 

He is good to us because He is good. Isn’t that great news? We think so!

Additional Description:

ALSO:

• Our brains in airports. 
• House or Giant Hamper? 
• Moving our baggage so people can plug in to Jesus. 
• What it means to really go the extra mile. 

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10 ESV

How does God do it? 

How does He unite us in friendship with people who disagree with us? 

How does He take noodles and sauce and turn it into a night of basketball and conversations and joy?

How does He take our hunger, thirst, grief, poverty and persecution…and turn it into blessing?

When the world tells us we are victims, that we need to hustle to “get what is ours,” Jesus comes in with the anti-hype and calms our spirits and says: Look. You are already blessed. 

How does He do that? He takes our hands and leads us back to the love of the Father again and again and again. Today we enter into Luke’s beatitudes and talk about:

• What it means to be blessed
• Gratitude as a weapon against the devil
• And how the beatitudes are a counter-cultural picture of grace 

ALSO:

• Share your stories! How does gratitude affect how you do life? 
• The “Thank God” Experiment
• Anti-Hype music is a thing
• How reading the prophets resembles watching Marvel heroes in action

When I am thankful:

1. I receive the hope to make it through the day.
2. I stop seeing myself as a victim of the circumstances I am in.
3. I am kinder to my neighbor.
4. I am less jealous.
5. I see evidence of God’s goodness.
6. I am less fearful of the future.
7. I am more fun.
8. I am quicker to help others and people are quicker to ask.
9. My heart is open to new experiences 
10. I am less burned out
11. I remember how God provides
12. I am a better listener 
13. Hands down, I am a better wife and mother 

Blessed are Those Who Mourn https://youtu.be/oyYOKe3RTNk?si=93vI9li31Wea0PKF

Blessed are the Pure in Heart https://youtu.be/llUL-u3zXLo?si=LqDPeZar4oaAU6_4

Blessed are the Meek https://youtu.be/6QJ9dG721-o?si=zotpaVjC6VsKmmhg

Blessed are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness https://youtu.be/wKHM3raJoPc?si=jm3DPgXxeJ3Em-fq

Blessed are the Merciful  https://youtu.be/BoOWxc3DS94?si=rjPsBHVfOvEGUE4C

Blessed are the Peacemakers  https://youtu.be/wV2Pte5ARbY?si=WcAdfNZxXzJLJDv6

Media: Jen Wilkin "Sermon On The Mount" Bible Study

• John Wick: Date Flick? Family Flick? We weigh in.
• When writers strike, actors podcast.  
• Imagine what transpires when Jesus looks at a person. 
• “How you feel does not equate to how things actually are.”